Then, just five matches into the new season, the 31-year-old experienced a tightness around the knee that required him to undergo more surgery, and even raised fears about whether he would ever return to his best.

However, Vidic has been more upbeat about his comeback, indicating at the weekend that he was ready to rejoin first-team training.

And whilst the final decision has been left to the 31-year-old, Ferguson is not ruling out the prospect of Vidic returning for Wednesday's Champions League encounter with CFR Cluj at Old Trafford.

"It would be nice to play him on Wednesday," said Ferguson. "I wouldn't be afraid of that.

"He has returned to training and done all his work but he needs matches."

Vidic will not be involved at the Madejski Stadium this evening, when Ferguson is hoping Wayne Rooney can increase his goals output from his current paltry tally of three.

"Wayne is going through a period like all strikers do, he is not scoring," said Ferguson.

"He has missed bits of games and been off with tonsillitis, and Wayne is the type of player who can't miss games because of the frame he has got.

"If he can contribute to the team's success, fine. But we would rather he scored more obviously."